Best Salon in Old City for Non-Ammonia Color & Balayage.

 At MOKO, we receive many questions from pregnant mothers, natural enthusiasts, and general salon searchers about our haircolor line. Yes, We are an organic-based salon, meaning we do our best to find and use the most sustainable products available. We are also pragmatists when it comes to haircolor. Our main haircolor line, Chi, is ammonia-free. Chi was one of the first innovative hair companies to venture into the non-ammonia color market. We also love their transparency, Chi lists trace amounts of PPD in their ingredients (an irritant to some with chemical sensitivities) even though, by federal standards, they are not required to. We used to use Organic Colour Systems from the UK - they claimed to not have PPD - but- yep - they did!

So, We love using our Chi non-ammonia haircolor and ammonia-free lighteners , specifically used for clients requesting subtle highlights. However, There is no way possible to use an organic lightener for clients wanting very light highlights or balayage. It just doesn't exist. So, at MOKO, We are pragmatists and use the best products available, that are buffered and ensure the integrity of your hair is maintained. We will even use a patented Olaplex Formula, which boasts a scientific molecular structure that protects and strengthens the hair, during your lightening process - no lie!

But wait....I thought you said MOKO was organic? Yes, We use shampoos, styling products, and services that are the most natural/organic that we can possibly source via scouring ingredient lists and ratings on Environmental Working Group's (EWG) website. We are organic pragmatists.

Monique the owner subscribes to this philosophy and allows her stylists to find their best way toward realistic organic beauty (how to approach and explain their choices to clients). If you ever have a question, just ask. 

And ooh, For those Organic beauty detectives out there: the ones who are passionate about asking questions about our haircolor and ingredients. The ones who swear that Whole Foods has 100% organic, non- chemical haircolor and henna - hey- we hear you - but here it goes:

The only true 'natural' henna is red henna. That's right! The other colors all contain iron and metals that build up on the hair. This is why some henna enthusiasts have hair that becomes brittle or wiry, at some point. Just like chlorinated hair (it's really the metals in pool water that coat the hair), It simply is not as 'natural' as you think.

What about those boxed colors at Whole Foods?They are not natural, either. Maybe natural based. All haircolor needs some type of chemical in it to work. 

For example, a leading haircolor company, Goldwell, tried to test an all natural haircolor in Germany - many years ago. Yes, it eventually worked. However, Women needed to sit under a dryer for 5 hours or more, for the color to work. Sound like you - if so - maybe this color exists somewhere - but not in the US.

So, that's it. MOKO strives to best the best organic salon in Old City and Philadelphia, at large. This is not just based on the products we carry, but our overall approach to be as transparent, as possible, in our mission and information brought to you!

Cheers,

Love Moko!

minimal beauty

We had some great fun on our recent shoot with photographer Alex Difiori. Our model Ariel's hair was wrapped in a tissue set, using a combo of products: Lulu Organic's hair powder, John Master's Shine, and Intelligent Nutrient's hairspray. Our Old City fav's: Minima provided the space and Sugarcube gave us some fun clothes to play with.

model: Ariel Leon Coeur
photographer: Alex Difiori
styling: Sarah Muhl/ Monique Mason
hair: Monique Mason
makeup: Kelley Hughes
Location: Minima

 

 

the price of feather hair extensions

Please take a moment to read this informative article about the popular feather hair extension trend and the effects it's having on the farming industry.  Our very own front desk jockey-Sarah Muhl researched and composed this educational piece for Very Glossy Magazine in hopes of spreading awareness about these feathers and how unethical the trend has become.

You can read the full article here
GET INFORMED!

Moko and Max green

Jolene Hart from Organic Beauty View spreads the word in this wonderful article about her discovery of moko and one of our favorite haircare brands, Max Green...

"During Fashion Week I expect to make lots of cool discoveries: new designers, makeup tips, style inspiration- you get the idea. But surprisingly, my favorite finds of the week happened to take place after I left NYC. My current home, Philadelphia, offers a number of trend-setting, organic beauty hotspots that feel quite ahead of the curve. A short walk from my apartment lands me at Juju Salon & Organics(one of Elle’s Top 100 Salons for 2009), an organic spa and salon duo, or Tierra Mia Organic Nail Spa, the nation’s first nail spa to use exclusively water-based polish, or at Moko (my latest discovery), a hip, green salon staffed by stylish, eco-conscious and organic-loving ladies in Philly’s Old City neighborhood. I was excited to find that Moko stocks a carefully curated collection of organic and natural beauty products; it’s a place where even a seasoned beauty writer can pick up a few new favorites. Which brings me to my next discovery: Scalp Rescue shampoo and conditioner from Max Green Alchemy. Even if you’re reading this post miles from the City of Brotherly Love, you’ll want to take note: Max Green shampoo is a must-try! Instead of sodium lauryl sulfate, it contains a coconut-based surfactant that lathers like a conventional brand- without the corrosive and hormone-altering health risks. And its conditioning partner contains the healing essential oils of tea tree, lemon tea tree, lavender, rosemary, geranium and macadamia seed oil to smooth hair without flattening. The staff at Moko swears by the set, especially for customers who haven’t yet acclimated to the non-foaming quality of SLS-free shampoos. I’ll definitely be using this line to convert organic hair care skeptics! Both the Max Green Alchemy Scalp Rescue shampooand conditioner smell softly herbal and, after my shampoo with Max Green at Moko, they left my long locks shiny and bouncy (the true test). I now know what I’ll be buying next time my shampoo bottle turns up empty!"
Writer :: Jolene Hart

 

Green on Display

Want to gain some insight into how moko was born and the materials used to transform our space from a retail store into the beautiful organic salon it is today? This article in the Philadelphia Inquirer features local businesses that were built or remodeled using eco-friendly materials and resources.  There is a lot to consider when modernizing a turn of the century store front.

Read the full article here

Visit Philly

Moko is now listed on Visitphilly.com.  Tell all your out-of-town relatives and friends that we would love to service all their hair and skincare needs during their visit to Philadelphia.  Whether you need a quick brow shaping, or a fancy blow-out for a night on the town, moko is here to take care of your beauty needs organically.
Check out our listing here, and call to book your appointments today!